Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
aisles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
august
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
babel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
borne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
chanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
chapels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
clang
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From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
concourse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
confusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
discharge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
down
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From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
edifice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
elevation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
guard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
Host
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
hum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
impressive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
kneeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
lately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
marble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
multitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
musketsnounUS /ˈmuskets/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
nave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
pope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was all over before one; and the pope was borne out again, and the vast crowd began to discharge itself.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
services
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
soldiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
solemnity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
stillness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the military order went down the line, the soldiers rose, the crowd rose, and the mass and the hum went on.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There came an impressive moment in all this confusion, a point of august solemnity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
Up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the stroke of the bell and the elevation of the Host, down went the muskets of the guard with one clang on the marble; the soldiers kneeled; the multitude in the nave, in the aisles, at all the chapels, kneeled; and for a minute in that vast edifice there was perfect stillness: if the whole great concourse had been swept from the earth, the spot where it lately was could not have been more silent.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Up to that instant, what with chanting and singing the many services, and the noise of talking and walking, there was a wild babel.
